EP1970259B1 - Electronic device mounting structure - Google Patents
Electronic device mounting structure Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP1970259B1 EP1970259B1 EP20060843025 EP06843025A EP1970259B1 EP 1970259 B1 EP1970259 B1 EP 1970259B1 EP 20060843025 EP20060843025 EP 20060843025 EP 06843025 A EP06843025 A EP 06843025A EP 1970259 B1 EP1970259 B1 EP 1970259B1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- stopper
- electronic device
- finger
- device mounting
- ecu
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Active
Links
- 230000037431 insertion Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000003780 insertion Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005452 bending Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
- B60R16/02—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for electric constitutive elements
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
- H05K5/02—Details
- H05K5/0204—Mounting supporting structures on the outside of casings
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R11/02—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R16/00—Electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for; Arrangement of elements of electric or fluid circuits specially adapted for vehicles and not otherwise provided for
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K5/00—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus
- H05K5/0026—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units
- H05K5/0073—Casings, cabinets or drawers for electric apparatus provided with connectors and printed circuit boards [PCB], e.g. automotive electronic control units having specific features for mounting the housing on an external structure
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
- B60R2011/0049—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means for non integrated articles
- B60R2011/0064—Connection with the article
- B60R2011/0071—Connection with the article using latches, clips, clamps, straps or the like
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60R—VEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- B60R11/00—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for
- B60R2011/0042—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means
- B60R2011/0049—Arrangements for holding or mounting articles, not otherwise provided for characterised by mounting means for non integrated articles
- B60R2011/0064—Connection with the article
- B60R2011/0073—Connection with the article using key-type connections
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F16—ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVE FUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL
- F16B—DEVICES FOR FASTENING OR SECURING CONSTRUCTIONAL ELEMENTS OR MACHINE PARTS TOGETHER, e.g. NAILS, BOLTS, CIRCLIPS, CLAMPS, CLIPS OR WEDGES; JOINTS OR JOINTING
- F16B5/00—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them
- F16B5/06—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips
- F16B5/0607—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other
- F16B5/0621—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other in parallel relationship
- F16B5/0635—Joining sheets or plates, e.g. panels, to one another or to strips or bars parallel to them by means of clamps or clips joining sheets or plates to each other in parallel relationship fastened over the edges of the sheets or plates
Definitions
- the present invention relates to an electronic device mounting structure, more specifically an electronic device mounting structure suited for installing an electronic device in a vehicle.
- an electronic device for vehicle installation is configured to be installed in a vehicle by being mounted to a device mounting housing fixed to the vehicle (see, e.g. Patent Document 1).
- a device mounting housing fixed to the vehicle see, e.g. Patent Document 1.
- Fig. 10 shows a conventional electronic device mounting structure. This figure shows a structure for mounting ECUs (engine control units) 132 as such electronic devices for vehicle installation.
- the ECUs 132 are mounted to a vehicle by making use of a device mounting housing 130.
- the device mounting housing 130 has a fixing portion 137 formed on a top portion 135 thereof and another fixing portion 138 formed on a bottom portion 136.
- the device mounting housing 130 is fixed to the vehicle by using, e.g. bolts to fix both fixing portions 137 and 138 to the vehicle.
- the device mounting housing 130 has open spaces 134 formed therein to fit the ECUs 132 thereinto.
- the ECUs 132 are fitted into the open spaces in the direction indicated by an arrow X1 in this figure.
- Each of the top portion 135 and the bottom portion 136 has pressing members (retaining fingers) 139 formed therein.
- Each of the retaining fingers 139 is cantilevered and has a distal end projecting into each open space 134.
- Each of the open spaces 134 has a stopper 140 formed on one edge thereof in the direction indicated by the arrow X1.
- Each of the open spaces 134 has an opening formed in the one edge in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 so as to be smaller than an end side 145 of each of the ECUs 132 by provision of the stopper 140.
- each of the ECUs 132 has a first projection 143 and a second projection 144 formed on each of a top side 141 and a bottom side 142.
- the first and second projections 143 and 144 are formed on substantially central portions of the top side 141 and the bottom side 142 of each of the ECUs.
- the ECUs 132 are put into the open spaces 134 of the device mounting housing 130 in the direction indicated by the arrow X1.
- the first projection 143 formed on the ECU climbs over the retaining finger 139 projecting into the open space 134, and is set between the first projection 143 and the second projection 144 formed on the ECU.
- the end side 145 of the ECU 132 is brought into contact with the stopper 140 of the open space as shown in Fig. 11 .
- the EUC 132 is prevented from falling out of the device mounting housing 130 in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 since the end side 145 of the ECU is brought into contact with the stopper 140 as described above.
- the retaining finger 139 is brought into contact with the top side 141 of the ECU 132 to be elastically deformed, generating an elastic force so as press the ECU 132 by the elastic force. In this way, the EUC 132 is held in the device mounting housing 130.
- the conventional electronic device mounting structure is configured to prevent the ECU 132 from falling out of the device mounting housing 130 by bringing the stopper 140 into contact with the end side 145 of the ECU 132.
- This arrangement needs to have a great length from a position with the retaining finger 139 disposed thereat to a position with the stopper 140 disposed thereat.
- this arrangement has a problem in that the device mounting housing 130 has lateral sides having a great length in the directions indicated by the arrow X1 and an arrow X2 (a length indicated by an arrow L3 in Fig. 10 ), increasing the size of the device mounting housing 130.
- An increase in the size of the device mounting housing 130 is undesirable for vehicle installation and raises the product cost, which have been problematic.
- the conventional electronic device mounting structure is configured to have the pressing members 139 formed therein so as to be spaced from the stoppers 140. If an external force is applied to an ECU 132 to shift the ECU with respect to the position with the pressing member 139 pressing the top side 141 of the ECU, the end side 145 of the ECU 132 is significantly shifted at the stopper 140, causing a problem in that the stopper 140 is likely to be disengaged from the end side 145 of the ECU.
- the retaining fingers 139 are deeply set inside from the top portion 135 and the bottom portion 136 of the device mounting housing 130 when being engaged with the first and second projections of the ECU.
- the device mounting housing 130 is configured to have an inner wall 146 formed in each of the open spaces so as to provide a gap between the inner wall and each of the top side 141 and the bottom side 142 of an ECU 132 so that a screwdriver 147 can be put into through the respective top and bottom gaps to cause the retaining fingers 139 to be disengaged from the first and second projections 143 and 144 of the ECU as shown in Fig. 12 .
- the conventional structure for engagement and disengagement is poor in handling.
- the device mounting housing 130 needs to be configured to secure the gaps between the inner wall 146 and an ECU 132 for putting such a screwdriver 147 into each of the gaps. This has causes a problem in that the size of the device mounting housing 130 increases.
- the present invention is proposed, taking the above-mentioned circumstances into account. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device mounting structure, which is capable of not only making a housing (device mounting housing) smaller but also reliably holding an electronic device in the housing.
- an electronic device mounting structure for fitting an electronic device in an open space formed in a housing and for holding the electronic device fitted in the open space by a finger formed on the housing, which includes:
- the stopper is formed in the housing so as to be juxtaposed with the finger in order to prevent the electronic device from falling out of the housing.
- the electronic device has a projection formed on a side thereof facing the finger, and wherein the stopper be configured to be engageable with the projection.
- an electronic device mounting structure for fitting and holding an electronic device in an open space formed in a housing, which includes:
- a holding member with an arm that has both ends supported can prevent the arm from being plastically deformed and can more reliably hold the electronic device because of being a higher rigidity than the holding member(s) with the cantilevered arm. It is possible to maintain the ease of fitting the electronic device in the open space since at least one of the holding members is configured so that the arm has both ends supported with the other holding member(s) having the cantilevered arm.
- the electronic device have respective projections formed on respective sides thereof facing the respective fingers, and that the respective holding members be configured to be engageable with the respective projection.
- an electronic device mounting structure for holding an electronic device in a housing by engaging the electronic device with a holding member formed in the housing when the electronic device is fitted in an open space formed in the housing, which includes:
- the release-manipulative portion is formed on the holding member so as to be capable of disengaging the electronic device from the finger by manipulating the holding member outside the housing.
- it is possible to improve the manipulability of the operation for dismounting the electronic device from the housing. It is also possible to make the housing smaller since it is not necessary to form the housing so as to secure an area for accepting a tool.
- the release-manipulative portion be formed on a portion of the arm closer to a distal end of the arm than the finger, and that the release-manipulative portion be configured to be flush with or project from an outer side of the housing with the finger being engaged with the electronic device.
- At least one of the holding members has a high rigidity in its arm since the arm of said holding member has both ends supported. Thus, it is possible to prevent the arm from being plastically deformed and to more reliably hold the electronic device in the housing.
- the third aspect it is possible to disengage the electronic device from the finger formed on the holding member without using a tool.
- Fig. 1 shows the electronic device mounting structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment and the subsequent embodiments described later will be explained about a case where an ECU (engine control unit) 2 is installed as an electronic device in a vehicle.
- ECU engine control unit
- the ECU 2 is mounted to a vehicle by making use of a device mounting housing 1A.
- the ECU 2 has a first projection 13 and a second projection 14 formed on each of a top side 11 and a bottom side 12 thereof.
- the first and second projections 13 and 14 are formed on a substantially central portion of each of the top side 11 and the bottom side 12 of the ECU in directions indicated by arrows X1 and X2.
- the device mounting housing 1A is formed of a resin.
- the device mounting housing has a fixing portion 7 formed on a top portion 5 and a fixing portion 8 formed on a bottom portion 6.
- the device mounting housing 1A is fixed to the vehicle (not shown) by using, e.g. bolts to fixing the fixing portions 7 and 8 to the vehicle.
- the device mounting housing 1A has an open space 4 formed therein so as to fit an ECU 2 therein.
- the ECU 2 is fitted in the open space 4 in the direction indicated by the arrow X1.
- the device mounting housing 1A has pressing members 9 and stoppers 10 formed as holding members on the top portion 5 and the bottom portion 6 thereof.
- a pressing member 9 is formed of a pressing arm 15 and a pressing finger 21.
- the pressing arm 15 is cantilevered, and the pressing finger 21 is formed on a distal end of the pressing arm so as to project into the open space 4.
- the pressing member 9 is elastically deformable in the directions indicated by arrows Z1 and Z2 since not only the device mounting housing 1A is formed of a resin but also the pressing arm 15 is cantilevered as described above.
- the pressing member 9 for that open space causes its pressing finger 21 to elastically deform and generate an elastic force, with the result that the pressing finger 21 presses the top side 11 of the ECU 2 by the elastic force. In this way, the ECU 2 is held in the device mounting housing 1A.
- the stopper 10 for that open space has the function of preventing the ECU 2 from falling out of the device mounting housing 1A.
- the stopper 10 is formed of a stopper arm 16 and a stopper finger 22.
- the stopper arm 16 is cantilevered, and the stopper finger 22 is formed on a distal end of the stopper arm so as to project into the open space 4.
- the stopper 10 is formed in each of the top portion 5 and the bottom portion 6 of the housing so as to be juxtaposed with the pressing member 9 (so as to be juxtaposed with the pressing member in the directions indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2).
- the stopper finger 22 of the stopper 10 is formed so as to be offset toward the direction indicated by the arrow X1 with respect to the pressing finger 21 of the pressing member 9.
- the stopper 10 (the stopper finger 22) is configured to be engaged with a side of the first projection 13 facing the direction indicated by the arrow X1 in this figure when the pressing member 9 (the pressing finger 21) is set between the first projection 13 and the second projection 14 by fitting the ECU 2 in the device mounting housing 1A.
- the ECU 2 is put into the open space 4 of the device mounting housing 1A in the direction indicated by the arrow X1.
- the first projection 13 formed on the ECU 2 is first brought into contact with the pressing finger 21 of the pressing member 9, the pressing finger being located toward the direction indicated by the arrow X2 with respect to the stopper 10.
- the pressing member 9 When the ECU 2 is further inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow X1, the pressing member 9 is elastically deformed, allowing the first projection 13 to pass under the pressing finger 21, since the pressing member 9 is elastically deformable as described above.
- the first projection 13 is subsequently brought into contact with the stopper finger 22 of the stopper 10. The first projection 13 is clamped between the pressing finger 21 and the stopper finger 22 in this situation.
- the ECU 2 stops its progression in the direction of the arrow X1 since the first projection 13 is brought into contact with the stopper 10 (the stopper finger 22).
- the ECU 2 is also prevented from falling out of the device mounting housing 1A since the first projection 13 is brought into contact with the stopper 10.
- the pressing member 9 is located between the first projection 13 and the second projection 14 and applies its elastic force to the top side 11 in the direction indicated by the arrow Z2. In this way, the ECU 2 is held in that open space 4 of the device mounting housing 1A.
- the mounting structure according to this embodiment is configured so that not only the pressing member 9 presses the top side 11 of the ECU 2 to hold the ECU 2 in the device mounting housing 1A, but also the first projection 13 is brought into contact with the stopper 10 so as to prevent the ECU 2 from falling out of the device mounting housing 1A. Further, as described above, the pressing member 9 is juxtaposed with the stopper 10.
- the device mounting housing according to the conventional arrangements needs to have a top portion 5 having a great length in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 (extending by a length indicated by arrows L2 in Fig. 2 ) because of being configured to bring the stopper 140 into contact with an end side 15 of the ECU 2, it is possible to reduce the device mounting housing 1A by the length L2 according to this embodiment.
- the mounting structure according to this embodiment it is possible to reduce the size and the cost of the device mounting housing 1A.
- This embodiment allows the ECU to be reliably held in and prevented from falling out of the device mounting housing 1A since the first projection 13 preformed on the ECU 2 is utilized to hold the ECU 2 in the device mounting housing 1A and to prevent the ECU from falling out of the device mounting housing 1A.
- the stopper 10 is engaged with the first projection 13, performing the function of pressing the ECU 2 in the direction indicated by the arrow Z2. In this way, the stopper 10 performs not only the function of preventing the ECU 2 from falling out of the device mounting housing 1A but also the function of holding the ECU2 in the device mounting housing. Accordingly, it is possible to hold the ECU 2 in the device mounting housing 1A more reliably than the conventional mounting structures.
- the paired pressing member 9 and stopper 10 are disposed so as to be spaced from each other by a slight distance in the directions indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2.
- the paired pressing member 9 and stopper 10 may be disposed so as to be close to each other as shown in Fig. 3 .
- the pressing arm 15 forming the pressing member 9, and the stopper arm 16 forming the stopper 10 are cantilevered.
- the stopper 10 When attention is drawn to the stopper 10 performing the function of preventing the ECU 2 from falling out, the ECU 2 tends to falls out of the device mounting housing 1A in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 in the figures.
- a force is generated so as to lift the stopper 10. This phenomenon will be explained, referring to Fig. 4 .
- Fig. 4 shows how forces are applied to the pressing member 9 and the stopper 10 when the ECU 2 is fitted in the device mounting housing 1A.
- the pressing member 9 presses the ECU 2 by a force F B in the direction indicated by the arrow Z2 as described above.
- the ECU 2 is restricted to move mainly in the directions indicated by the arrows Z1 and Z2 in this figure with the result that the ECU 2 is held in the device mounting housing 1A.
- the stopper 10 causes its stopper finger 22 to be engaged with the first projection 13 and press this first projection 13 by a force F A in the directions indicated by the arrows Z1 and Z2 in this figure.
- the first projection 13 is clamped between the pressing finger 21 and the stopper finger 22.
- the movement of the first projection 13 (the ECU 2) in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 is restricted by the stopper finger 22 so as to prevent the ECU 22 from falling out of the device mounting housing 1A even if an external force is applied to the ECU 2 in a direction to cause the ECU to fall out of the device mounting housing 1A (in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 in this figure).
- ECUs 2 have recently tended to be heavier as the ECUs for vehicle installation increase in size. Vehicles frequently change their running positions according to the steering operations during running, which means that an ECU 2 installed in a vehicle is frequently subjected to external forces.
- the stopper arm 16 of the stopper 10 is cantilevered as in the first embodiment, the stopper finger is more likely to be kept open than a stopper arm having both ends supported because of having a lower rigidity than the latter stopper arm.
- the stopper finger 22 fails to sufficiently bring the first projection 13 into engagement, and the distance between the stopper finger 22 and the pressing finger 21 (the length indicated by arrows L4 in Fig. 4 ) increases, with the result that the clamping force applied to the first projection 13 by the stopper finger 22 and the pressing finger 21 decreases.
- the pressing arms 15 of the pressing members 9, and the stopper arms 16 of the stoppers 10 are cantilevered, it may be likely that an ECU 2 cannot be reliably held.
- the second embodiment proposes an electronic device mounting structure, which is capable of reliably holding an ECU 2 by being configured to prevent a stopper from being kept open.
- the electronic device mounting structure according to the second embodiment will be described in reference to Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 .
- Structure elements of the second embodiment shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 7 which are similar to those of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4 , are indicated by similar symbols, and the explanation of these structure elements will be omitted.
- the device mounting housing 1B used in the mounting structure according to the second embodiment is basically configured in a similar way to the device mounting housing 1A of the above-mentioned first embodiment.
- the device mounting housing 1B has an open space 4 formed therein so as to fit the ECU 2 therein.
- the ECU 2 is fitted in the open space 4 in the direction indicated by the arrow X1.
- the device mounting housing 1B has a pressing member 9 and a stopper 20 integrally formed as the holding member on the top portion 5 thereof. (As in the first embodiment, the device mounting housing may also have a pressing member 9 and a stopper 10 formed on a bottom portion 5 thereof.)
- the pressing member 9 has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, and the pressing member has a pressing arm 15 formed to be cantilevered.
- the stopper 20 is configured so that its stopper arm 17 has both ends supported as shown in enlargement in Fig. 6 .
- the stopper has a stopper finger 22 formed on a side facing the open space 4.
- the stopper 20 performs the function of preventing the ECU 2 in the open space from falling out of the device mounting housing 1B.
- the stopper 20 is formed in the top portion 5 of the housing so as to be juxtaposed with its paired pressing member 9.
- the stopper finger 22 of the stopper 20 is configured to be offset toward the direction of the arrow X1 in this figure with respect to the pressing finger 21 of its paired pressing member 9. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 7 , the stopper 20 (the stopper finger 22) is configured to be engaged with a side of the first projection 13 facing the direction of the arrow X1 in this figure when the pressing member 9 (the pressing finger 21) is located between the first projection 13 and the second projection 14 of an ECU 2 by fitting the ECU 2 into the device mounting housing 1B.
- the stopper arm 17 forming the stopper has a higher rigidity than the pressing member 9 with the pressing arm 15 cantilevered because of having both ends supported by the top portion 5 of the housing as described above.
- the stopper finger 22 formed on the stopper 20 is more difficult to be deformed than the pressing finger 21 formed on the pressing members 9 in vertical directions (in the directions indicated by arrows Z1 and Z2 in this figure).
- the ECU 2 is put into the open space 4 of the device mounting housing 1B in the direction indicated by the arrow X1.
- the first projection 13 formed on the ECU 2 is first brought into contact with the pressing finger 21 of the pressing member 9, the pressing finger being located toward the direction indicated by the arrow X2 with respect to the its paired stopper 20.
- the pressing member 9 When the ECU 2 is further inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow X1, the pressing member 9 is elastically deformed, allowing the first projection 13 to pass under the pressing finger 21, since the pressing member 9 is elastically deformable as described above.
- the pressing arm 15 is susceptible to be so plastically deformable as to be capable of holding the ECU 2 in the open space 4 with good fit because of being cantilevered.
- the ECU 2 When the ECU 2 is furthermore inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow X1, the first projection 13 is subsequently brought into contact with the stopper finger 22 of the stopper 20. The first projection 13 is clamped between the pressing finger 21 and the stopper finger 22 in this situation. Thus, the ECU 2 stops its progression in the direction of the arrow X1 since the first projection 13 is brought into contact with the stopper 20 (the stopper finger 22). The ECU 2 is also prevented from falling out of the device mounting housing 1B since the first projection 13 is brought into contact with the stoppers 20.
- the pressing member 9 is located between the first projection 13 and the second projection 14, and presses a top side 11 of the ECU in the direction indicated by the arrow Z2. In this way, the ECU 2 is held in the open space 4 of the device mounting housing 1B.
- the second embodiment allows the ECU to be reliably held in and prevented from falling out of the device mounting housing 1 since the first projection 13 preformed on the ECU 2 is utilized to hold the ECU 2 in the device mounting housing and to prevent the ECU from falling out of the device mounting housing.
- the stopper 20 is engaged with the first projection 13, performing the function of pressing the ECU 2 in the direction indicated by the arrow Z2. In this way, the stopper 20 performs not only the function of preventing the ECU 2 from falling out of the device mounting housing 1B but also the function of holding the ECU2 in the device mounting housing. Accordingly, it is possible to hold the ECU 2 in the device mounting housing 1B more reliably.
- the first projection 13 presses the stopper finger 22 of the stopper 20 in the direction indicated by the arrow X1, generating a bending moment in the stopper 20 in a direction indicated by an arrow M as shown in Fig. 7 .
- a force F C is generated in the stopper finger 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow X2
- a force F D is generated in the pressing finger 21 along the pressing arm 15.
- the force F D that is generated along the pressing arm 15 generates a vertical component force F E directed to the direction indicated by the arrow Z2.
- the vertical component force F E is a force that is newly generated in the pressing member 9 by the generation of the bending moment M and that serves as a force for holding the ECU 2 in the device mounting housing 1B. In this way, even if the ECU 2 is heavy, the structure wherein the stopper arm 17 has both ends supported allows the ECU to be reliably held since the vertical component force F E generated by the bending moment M is applied in addition to the holding force F B that is normally applied to the pressing member 9 (see Fig. 4 ).
- each of the pressing member 9 and the stopper 10 or 20 as the holding member is disposed at a single location.
- each of the pressing member 9 and the stopper 10 or 20 as the holding member may be disposed at plural locations. In the latter case, when the arm of at least one pair of holding members among the plural holding members has both ends supported while the arms of the other holding members are cantilevered, it is possible to realize the above-identified advantages of the present invention.
- the device mounting housing includes improved manipulative members 50.
- Each of the manipulative members 50 according to this embodiment is applicable to both of the pressing member 9 and the stopper 10 or 20 in the above-mentioned embodiments.
- the manipulative members 50 will be explained without specifying whether each of the manipulative members 50 is applied to the pressing member 9 or the stopper 10 or 20
- the electronic device mounting structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in reference to Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 .
- Structure elements of the third embodiment shown in Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 which are similar to those of the first and second embodiments shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 7 , are indicated by similar symbols, and the explanation of these structure elements will be omitted.
- This embodiment is characterized in that the manipulative members 50 are formed in a device mounting housing 1C to hold an ECU 2 in an open space 4, and that each of the manipulative members is formed of not only an arm 51 and a finger 52 but also a release-manipulative portion 53.
- the arm 51 is cantilevered and is configured to extend obliquely downward to a lower position than the top portion 5 of the device mounting housing 1C.
- the arm 51 has the finger 52 formed on a distal end thereof to be engageable with the ECU 2.
- Each of the manipulative members according to the third embodiment is characterized to have the release-manipulative portion 53 formed on a further distal end of the cantilevered arm 51, i.e. on a position ahead of the finger 52.
- the release-manipulative portion 53 is formed in a flange shape, which extends in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 in this figure by a slight amount (a length for ease in picking up).
- the respective release-manipulative portions 53 are configured to be substantially flush with the top portion 5 and a bottom portion 6 of the housing in this embodiment, the respective release-manipulative portion 53 may be configured to project outside from the top portion 5 and the bottom portion 6 as shown in dashed dotted lines in Fig. 9 .
- FIG. 9 shows a situation where the ECU 2 is engaged with the operating portions 50, being held in the device mounting housing 1C.
- the ECU 2 needs to be taken out of a vehicle for the purpose of maintenance or another reason in some cases. In these cases, the ECU 2 is dismounted from the device mounting housing 1C.
- the pressing member 9 that includes only the arm 15 and the finger 21 as in the first and second embodiments needs to be disengaged from the ECU 2 by using a screwdriver as explained in reference to Fig. 12 .
- each of the release-manipulative portions 53 is configured to be flush with or project from the outer side of the top portion 5 or the bottom portion 6 of the housing with the fingers 52 being engaged with the ECU 2.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Casings For Electric Apparatus (AREA)
- Fittings On The Vehicle Exterior For Carrying Loads, And Devices For Holding Or Mounting Articles (AREA)
- Connection Of Plates (AREA)
Description
- The present invention relates to an electronic device mounting structure, more specifically an electronic device mounting structure suited for installing an electronic device in a vehicle.
- For example, an electronic device for vehicle installation is configured to be installed in a vehicle by being mounted to a device mounting housing fixed to the vehicle (see, e.g. Patent Document 1). The reason is that it is possible not only to easily install an electronic device in a vehicle at the time of mounting but also to dismount the electronic device for maintenance more easily than a structure for fixing such an electronic device directly to a vehicle.
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Fig. 10 shows a conventional electronic device mounting structure. This figure shows a structure for mounting ECUs (engine control units) 132 as such electronic devices for vehicle installation. TheECUs 132 are mounted to a vehicle by making use of adevice mounting housing 130. - The
device mounting housing 130 has afixing portion 137 formed on atop portion 135 thereof and anotherfixing portion 138 formed on abottom portion 136. Thedevice mounting housing 130 is fixed to the vehicle by using, e.g. bolts to fix both fixingportions - The
device mounting housing 130 hasopen spaces 134 formed therein to fit theECUs 132 thereinto. TheECUs 132 are fitted into the open spaces in the direction indicated by an arrow X1 in this figure. Each of thetop portion 135 and thebottom portion 136 has pressing members (retaining fingers) 139 formed therein. Each of theretaining fingers 139 is cantilevered and has a distal end projecting into eachopen space 134. - Each of the
open spaces 134 has astopper 140 formed on one edge thereof in the direction indicated by the arrow X1. Each of theopen spaces 134 has an opening formed in the one edge in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 so as to be smaller than anend side 145 of each of theECUs 132 by provision of thestopper 140. - On the other hand, each of the
ECUs 132 has afirst projection 143 and asecond projection 144 formed on each of atop side 141 and abottom side 142. The first andsecond projections top side 141 and thebottom side 142 of each of the ECUs. - Now, how to fit the
ECUs 132 into thedevice mounting housing 130 will be explained. In order to fit theECUs 132 into thedevice mounting housing 130, theECUs 132 are put into theopen spaces 134 of thedevice mounting housing 130 in the direction indicated by the arrow X1. When an ECU is put into an open space of the device mounting housing, thefirst projection 143 formed on the ECU climbs over the retainingfinger 139 projecting into theopen space 134, and is set between thefirst projection 143 and thesecond projection 144 formed on the ECU. At the same time, theend side 145 of the ECU 132 is brought into contact with thestopper 140 of the open space as shown inFig. 11 . - The EUC 132 is prevented from falling out of the
device mounting housing 130 in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 since theend side 145 of the ECU is brought into contact with thestopper 140 as described above. The retainingfinger 139 is brought into contact with thetop side 141 of theECU 132 to be elastically deformed, generating an elastic force so as press theECU 132 by the elastic force. In this way, the EUC 132 is held in thedevice mounting housing 130. - Patent Document 1:
JP-A-2000-247188 - However, the conventional electronic device mounting structure is configured to prevent the
ECU 132 from falling out of thedevice mounting housing 130 by bringing thestopper 140 into contact with theend side 145 of theECU 132. This arrangement needs to have a great length from a position with the retainingfinger 139 disposed thereat to a position with thestopper 140 disposed thereat. - Accordingly, this arrangement has a problem in that the
device mounting housing 130 has lateral sides having a great length in the directions indicated by the arrow X1 and an arrow X2 (a length indicated by an arrow L3 inFig. 10 ), increasing the size of thedevice mounting housing 130. An increase in the size of thedevice mounting housing 130 is undesirable for vehicle installation and raises the product cost, which have been problematic. - The conventional electronic device mounting structure is configured to have the
pressing members 139 formed therein so as to be spaced from thestoppers 140. If an external force is applied to anECU 132 to shift the ECU with respect to the position with thepressing member 139 pressing thetop side 141 of the ECU, theend side 145 of theECU 132 is significantly shifted at thestopper 140, causing a problem in that thestopper 140 is likely to be disengaged from theend side 145 of the ECU. - When an
ECU 132 is taken out of thedevice mounting housing 130, it is necessary to disengage the first andsecond projections retaining fingers 139 in engagement therewith. In the conventional electronic device mounting structure, theretaining fingers 139 are deeply set inside from thetop portion 135 and thebottom portion 136 of thedevice mounting housing 130 when being engaged with the first and second projections of the ECU. For this reason, thedevice mounting housing 130 is configured to have aninner wall 146 formed in each of the open spaces so as to provide a gap between the inner wall and each of thetop side 141 and thebottom side 142 of anECU 132 so that ascrewdriver 147 can be put into through the respective top and bottom gaps to cause theretaining fingers 139 to be disengaged from the first andsecond projections Fig. 12 . - However, the conventional structure for engagement and disengagement is poor in handling. Further, the
device mounting housing 130 needs to be configured to secure the gaps between theinner wall 146 and an ECU 132 for putting such ascrewdriver 147 into each of the gaps. This has causes a problem in that the size of thedevice mounting housing 130 increases. - The present invention is proposed, taking the above-mentioned circumstances into account. It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic device mounting structure, which is capable of not only making a housing (device mounting housing) smaller but also reliably holding an electronic device in the housing.
- According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device mounting structure for fitting an electronic device in an open space formed in a housing and for holding the electronic device fitted in the open space by a finger formed on the housing, which includes:
- a stopper formed in the housing so as to be juxtaposed with the finger, the stopper being configured to prevent the electronic device from falling out of the housing.
- In accordance with the first aspect, the stopper is formed in the housing so as to be juxtaposed with the finger in order to prevent the electronic device from falling out of the housing. By this arrangement, it is possible to bring the finger closer to the stopper, with the result that it is possible to reduce the length of the housing in the direction to fit the electronic device therein and to reduce the size and the cost of the housing.
- In the first aspect, the electronic device has a projection formed on a side thereof facing the finger, and wherein the stopper be configured to be engageable with the projection.
- In this mode, it is possible to more reliably prevent the electronic device from falling out of the housing since the stopper is engaged with the projection to prevent the electronic device from falling out of the housing.
- According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device mounting structure for fitting and holding an electronic device in an open space formed in a housing, which includes:
- plural holding members formed in the housing so as to be juxtaposed each other, each of the holding members having a finger formed on an arm thereof so as to be engageable with the electronic device; and
- the arm of at least one of the holding members having both ends supported, and the arm of the other holding member or the arms of the other holding members being cantilevered.
- In accordance with the second aspect, a holding member with an arm that has both ends supported can prevent the arm from being plastically deformed and can more reliably hold the electronic device because of being a higher rigidity than the holding member(s) with the cantilevered arm. It is possible to maintain the ease of fitting the electronic device in the open space since at least one of the holding members is configured so that the arm has both ends supported with the other holding member(s) having the cantilevered arm.
- In the second aspect, it is preferred that the electronic device have respective projections formed on respective sides thereof facing the respective fingers, and that the respective holding members be configured to be engageable with the respective projection.
- In this preferred mode, it is possible to more reliably prevent the electronic device from the housing since the holding members are engaged with the projections to prevent the electronic device from falling out of the housing.
- According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an electronic device mounting structure for holding an electronic device in a housing by engaging the electronic device with a holding member formed in the housing when the electronic device is fitted in an open space formed in the housing, which includes:
- the holding member being formed of a finger engageable with the electronic device, a cantilevered arm for elastically urging the finger toward the electronic device, and a release-manipulative portion configured to disengage the finger from the electronic device by manipulating the release-manipulative portion from outside the housing.
- In accordance with the third aspect, it is possible to disengage the electronic device from the finger formed on the holding member without using a tool, since the release-manipulative portion is formed on the holding member so as to be capable of disengaging the electronic device from the finger by manipulating the holding member outside the housing. Thus, it is possible to improve the manipulability of the operation for dismounting the electronic device from the housing. It is also possible to make the housing smaller since it is not necessary to form the housing so as to secure an area for accepting a tool.
- In the third aspect, it is preferred that the release-manipulative portion be formed on a portion of the arm closer to a distal end of the arm than the finger, and that the release-manipulative portion be configured to be flush with or project from an outer side of the housing with the finger being engaged with the electronic device.
- By this arrangement, it is easy to pick up the release-manipulative portion, with the result that it is possible to make it more manipulative to take out the electronic device.
- In accordance with the first aspect, it is possible to reduce the length of the housing in the direction to fit the electronic device therein and to reduce the size and the cost of the housing.
- In accordance with the second aspect, at least one of the holding members has a high rigidity in its arm since the arm of said holding member has both ends supported. Thus, it is possible to prevent the arm from being plastically deformed and to more reliably hold the electronic device in the housing.
- In accordance with the third aspect, it is possible to disengage the electronic device from the finger formed on the holding member without using a tool. Thus, it is possible to improve the manipulability of the operation for dismounting the electronic device from the housing. It is also possible to make the housing smaller since it is not necessary to form the housing so as to secure an area for accepting a tool.
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Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the electronic device mounting structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taking along line A-A ofFig. 1 ; -
Fig. 3 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the structure close to a pressing member and a stopper according the first embodiment; -
Fig. 4 is a schematic view explaining how the pressing member and the stopper according the first embodiment act; -
Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing the electronic device mounting structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 6 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the structure close to a pressing member and a stopper according the second embodiment; -
Fig. 7 is a schematic view explaining how the pressing member and the stopper according the second embodiment act; -
Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the electronic device mounting structure according to a third embodiment of the present invention; -
Fig. 9 is a schematic view explaining how a pressing member and a stopper according the third embodiment act; -
Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a conventional electronic device mounting structure; -
Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taking along line B-B ofFig. 10 ; and -
Fig. 12 is a schematic view showing how to dismount an ECU from the conventional electronic device mounting structure. - Now, the best modes for carrying out the present invention will be described in reference to the accompanying drawings.
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Fig. 1 shows the electronic device mounting structure according to a first embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment and the subsequent embodiments described later will be explained about a case where an ECU (engine control unit) 2 is installed as an electronic device in a vehicle. - The
ECU 2 is mounted to a vehicle by making use of adevice mounting housing 1A. TheECU 2 has afirst projection 13 and asecond projection 14 formed on each of atop side 11 and abottom side 12 thereof. The first andsecond projections top side 11 and thebottom side 12 of the ECU in directions indicated by arrows X1 and X2. - The
device mounting housing 1A is formed of a resin. The device mounting housing has a fixing portion 7 formed on atop portion 5 and a fixing portion 8 formed on abottom portion 6. Thedevice mounting housing 1A is fixed to the vehicle (not shown) by using, e.g. bolts to fixing the fixing portions 7 and 8 to the vehicle. - The
device mounting housing 1A has an open space 4 formed therein so as to fit anECU 2 therein. TheECU 2 is fitted in the open space 4 in the direction indicated by the arrow X1. Thedevice mounting housing 1A has pressing members 9 andstoppers 10 formed as holding members on thetop portion 5 and thebottom portion 6 thereof. - A pressing member 9 is formed of a
pressing arm 15 and apressing finger 21. Thepressing arm 15 is cantilevered, and thepressing finger 21 is formed on a distal end of the pressing arm so as to project into the open space 4. The pressing member 9 is elastically deformable in the directions indicated by arrows Z1 and Z2 since not only thedevice mounting housing 1A is formed of a resin but also thepressing arm 15 is cantilevered as described above. - When the
ECU 2 is fitted into the open space of thedevice mounting housing 1A, the pressing member 9 for that open space causes itspressing finger 21 to elastically deform and generate an elastic force, with the result that thepressing finger 21 presses thetop side 11 of theECU 2 by the elastic force. In this way, theECU 2 is held in thedevice mounting housing 1A. - On the other hand, the
stopper 10 for that open space has the function of preventing theECU 2 from falling out of thedevice mounting housing 1A. Thestopper 10 is formed of astopper arm 16 and astopper finger 22. In this embodiment, thestopper arm 16 is cantilevered, and thestopper finger 22 is formed on a distal end of the stopper arm so as to project into the open space 4. - The
stopper 10 is formed in each of thetop portion 5 and thebottom portion 6 of the housing so as to be juxtaposed with the pressing member 9 (so as to be juxtaposed with the pressing member in the directions indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2). Thestopper finger 22 of thestopper 10 is formed so as to be offset toward the direction indicated by the arrow X1 with respect to thepressing finger 21 of the pressing member 9. Specifically, as shown inFig. 2 , the stopper 10 (the stopper finger 22) is configured to be engaged with a side of thefirst projection 13 facing the direction indicated by the arrow X1 in this figure when the pressing member 9 (the pressing finger 21) is set between thefirst projection 13 and thesecond projection 14 by fitting theECU 2 in thedevice mounting housing 1A. - Now, how to fit the
ECU 2 in thedevice mounting housing 1A will be described. - In order to fit the
ECU 2 in thedevice mounting housing 1A, theECU 2 is put into the open space 4 of thedevice mounting housing 1A in the direction indicated by the arrow X1. As theECU 2 is put into thedevice mounting housing 1A, thefirst projection 13 formed on theECU 2 is first brought into contact with thepressing finger 21 of the pressing member 9, the pressing finger being located toward the direction indicated by the arrow X2 with respect to thestopper 10. - When the
ECU 2 is further inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow X1, the pressing member 9 is elastically deformed, allowing thefirst projection 13 to pass under thepressing finger 21, since the pressing member 9 is elastically deformable as described above. When theECU 2 is furthermore inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow X1, thefirst projection 13 is subsequently brought into contact with thestopper finger 22 of thestopper 10. Thefirst projection 13 is clamped between thepressing finger 21 and thestopper finger 22 in this situation. - Thus, the
ECU 2 stops its progression in the direction of the arrow X1 since thefirst projection 13 is brought into contact with the stopper 10 (the stopper finger 22). TheECU 2 is also prevented from falling out of thedevice mounting housing 1A since thefirst projection 13 is brought into contact with thestopper 10. - In a situation where the
first projection 13 is brought into contact with thestopper 10, the pressing member 9 is located between thefirst projection 13 and thesecond projection 14 and applies its elastic force to thetop side 11 in the direction indicated by the arrow Z2. In this way, theECU 2 is held in that open space 4 of thedevice mounting housing 1A. - As described above, the mounting structure according to this embodiment is configured so that not only the pressing member 9 presses the
top side 11 of theECU 2 to hold theECU 2 in thedevice mounting housing 1A, but also thefirst projection 13 is brought into contact with thestopper 10 so as to prevent theECU 2 from falling out of thedevice mounting housing 1A. Further, as described above, the pressing member 9 is juxtaposed with thestopper 10. - By the latter arrangement, it is possible to reduce the length of the
device mounting housing 1A in the directions indicated by the arrows X1 and X2 (indicated by arrows L1 inFig. 1 ) in comparison with conventional arrangements (seeFig. 10 ) since it is possible to bring the pressing member 9 closer to thestopper 10. - In other words, although the device mounting housing according to the conventional arrangements needs to have a
top portion 5 having a great length in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 (extending by a length indicated by arrows L2 inFig. 2 ) because of being configured to bring thestopper 140 into contact with anend side 15 of theECU 2, it is possible to reduce thedevice mounting housing 1A by the length L2 according to this embodiment. Thus, according to the mounting structure according to this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the size and the cost of thedevice mounting housing 1A. - This embodiment allows the ECU to be reliably held in and prevented from falling out of the
device mounting housing 1A since thefirst projection 13 preformed on theECU 2 is utilized to hold theECU 2 in thedevice mounting housing 1A and to prevent the ECU from falling out of thedevice mounting housing 1A. - The
stopper 10 is engaged with thefirst projection 13, performing the function of pressing theECU 2 in the direction indicated by the arrow Z2. In this way, thestopper 10 performs not only the function of preventing theECU 2 from falling out of thedevice mounting housing 1A but also the function of holding the ECU2 in the device mounting housing. Accordingly, it is possible to hold theECU 2 in thedevice mounting housing 1A more reliably than the conventional mounting structures. - In the above-mentioned embodiment, the paired pressing member 9 and
stopper 10 are disposed so as to be spaced from each other by a slight distance in the directions indicated by arrows Y1 and Y2. However, the paired pressing member 9 andstopper 10 may be disposed so as to be close to each other as shown inFig. 3 . - Now, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described.
- In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the
pressing arm 15 forming the pressing member 9, and thestopper arm 16 forming thestopper 10 are cantilevered. When attention is drawn to thestopper 10 performing the function of preventing theECU 2 from falling out, theECU 2 tends to falls out of thedevice mounting housing 1A in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 in the figures. When theECU 2 is urged to fall out of thedevice mounting housing 1A, a force is generated so as to lift thestopper 10. This phenomenon will be explained, referring toFig. 4 . -
Fig. 4 shows how forces are applied to the pressing member 9 and thestopper 10 when theECU 2 is fitted in thedevice mounting housing 1A. The pressing member 9 presses theECU 2 by a force FB in the direction indicated by the arrow Z2 as described above. In this way, theECU 2 is restricted to move mainly in the directions indicated by the arrows Z1 and Z2 in this figure with the result that theECU 2 is held in thedevice mounting housing 1A. - On the other hand, the
stopper 10 causes itsstopper finger 22 to be engaged with thefirst projection 13 and press thisfirst projection 13 by a force FA in the directions indicated by the arrows Z1 and Z2 in this figure. Thefirst projection 13 is clamped between thepressing finger 21 and thestopper finger 22. In this way, the movement of the first projection 13 (the ECU 2) in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 is restricted by thestopper finger 22 so as to prevent theECU 22 from falling out of thedevice mounting housing 1A even if an external force is applied to theECU 2 in a direction to cause the ECU to fall out of thedevice mounting housing 1A (in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 in this figure). - However,
ECUs 2 have recently tended to be heavier as the ECUs for vehicle installation increase in size. Vehicles frequently change their running positions according to the steering operations during running, which means that anECU 2 installed in a vehicle is frequently subjected to external forces. When thestopper arm 16 of thestopper 10 is cantilevered as in the first embodiment, the stopper finger is more likely to be kept open than a stopper arm having both ends supported because of having a lower rigidity than the latter stopper arm. - The phrase "kept open" means that the stopper arm 16 (and the stopper finger 22) is plastically deformed by frequent application of external forces to the
stopper finger 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow X1. If thestopper 10 has been kept open, the stopper takes a position indicated by a two-dot chain line inFig. 4 . - If the
stopper finger 22 has kept open as described above, the stopper finger fails to sufficiently bring thefirst projection 13 into engagement, and the distance between thestopper finger 22 and the pressing finger 21 (the length indicated by arrows L4 inFig. 4 ) increases, with the result that the clamping force applied to thefirst projection 13 by thestopper finger 22 and thepressing finger 21 decreases. When thepressing arms 15 of the pressing members 9, and thestopper arms 16 of thestoppers 10 are cantilevered, it may be likely that anECU 2 cannot be reliably held. - In consideration of the above-mentioned problem, the second embodiment proposes an electronic device mounting structure, which is capable of reliably holding an
ECU 2 by being configured to prevent a stopper from being kept open. Now, the electronic device mounting structure according to the second embodiment will be described in reference toFig. 5 to Fig. 7 . Structure elements of the second embodiment shown inFig. 5 to Fig. 7 , which are similar to those of the first embodiment shown inFig. 1 to Fig. 4 , are indicated by similar symbols, and the explanation of these structure elements will be omitted. - The
device mounting housing 1B used in the mounting structure according to the second embodiment is basically configured in a similar way to thedevice mounting housing 1A of the above-mentioned first embodiment. Specifically, thedevice mounting housing 1B has an open space 4 formed therein so as to fit theECU 2 therein. TheECU 2 is fitted in the open space 4 in the direction indicated by the arrow X1. Thedevice mounting housing 1B has a pressing member 9 and astopper 20 integrally formed as the holding member on thetop portion 5 thereof. (As in the first embodiment, the device mounting housing may also have a pressing member 9 and astopper 10 formed on abottom portion 5 thereof.) - The pressing member 9 has the same structure as that of the first embodiment, and the pressing member has a
pressing arm 15 formed to be cantilevered. On the other hand, thestopper 20 is configured so that itsstopper arm 17 has both ends supported as shown in enlargement inFig. 6 . The stopper has astopper finger 22 formed on a side facing the open space 4. Thestopper 20 performs the function of preventing theECU 2 in the open space from falling out of thedevice mounting housing 1B. Thestopper 20 is formed in thetop portion 5 of the housing so as to be juxtaposed with its paired pressing member 9. - The
stopper finger 22 of thestopper 20 is configured to be offset toward the direction of the arrow X1 in this figure with respect to thepressing finger 21 of its paired pressing member 9. Specifically, as shown inFig. 7 , the stopper 20 (the stopper finger 22) is configured to be engaged with a side of thefirst projection 13 facing the direction of the arrow X1 in this figure when the pressing member 9 (the pressing finger 21) is located between thefirst projection 13 and thesecond projection 14 of anECU 2 by fitting theECU 2 into thedevice mounting housing 1B. - The
stopper arm 17 forming the stopper has a higher rigidity than the pressing member 9 with thepressing arm 15 cantilevered because of having both ends supported by thetop portion 5 of the housing as described above. In other words, thestopper finger 22 formed on thestopper 20 is more difficult to be deformed than thepressing finger 21 formed on the pressing members 9 in vertical directions (in the directions indicated by arrows Z1 and Z2 in this figure). - Now, how to fit the
ECU 2 in thedevice mounting housing 1B will be described. - In order to fit the
ECU 2 in thedevice mounting housing 1B, theECU 2 is put into the open space 4 of thedevice mounting housing 1B in the direction indicated by the arrow X1. As theECU 2 is put into thedevice mounting housing 1B, thefirst projection 13 formed on theECU 2 is first brought into contact with thepressing finger 21 of the pressing member 9, the pressing finger being located toward the direction indicated by the arrow X2 with respect to the its pairedstopper 20. - When the
ECU 2 is further inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow X1, the pressing member 9 is elastically deformed, allowing thefirst projection 13 to pass under thepressing finger 21, since the pressing member 9 is elastically deformable as described above. Thepressing arm 15 is susceptible to be so plastically deformable as to be capable of holding theECU 2 in the open space 4 with good fit because of being cantilevered. - When the
ECU 2 is furthermore inserted in the direction indicated by the arrow X1, thefirst projection 13 is subsequently brought into contact with thestopper finger 22 of thestopper 20. Thefirst projection 13 is clamped between thepressing finger 21 and thestopper finger 22 in this situation. Thus, theECU 2 stops its progression in the direction of the arrow X1 since thefirst projection 13 is brought into contact with the stopper 20 (the stopper finger 22). TheECU 2 is also prevented from falling out of thedevice mounting housing 1B since thefirst projection 13 is brought into contact with thestoppers 20. - In a situation where the
first projection 13 is brought into contact with thestopper 20, the pressing member 9 is located between thefirst projection 13 and thesecond projection 14, and presses atop side 11 of the ECU in the direction indicated by the arrow Z2. In this way, theECU 2 is held in the open space 4 of thedevice mounting housing 1B. The second embodiment allows the ECU to be reliably held in and prevented from falling out of the device mounting housing 1 since thefirst projection 13 preformed on theECU 2 is utilized to hold theECU 2 in the device mounting housing and to prevent the ECU from falling out of the device mounting housing. - The
stopper 20 is engaged with thefirst projection 13, performing the function of pressing theECU 2 in the direction indicated by the arrow Z2. In this way, thestopper 20 performs not only the function of preventing theECU 2 from falling out of thedevice mounting housing 1B but also the function of holding the ECU2 in the device mounting housing. Accordingly, it is possible to hold theECU 2 in thedevice mounting housing 1B more reliably. - Now, how the
stopper 20 acts if an external force is applied to theECU 2 in a direction to fall the ECU out of thedevice mounting housing 1B (in the direction indicated by the arrow X1) will be explained. - If the
ECU 2 is urged to shift in the direction indicated by the arrow X1, thefirst projection 13 presses thestopper finger 22 of thestopper 20 in the direction indicated by the arrow X1, generating a bending moment in thestopper 20 in a direction indicated by an arrow M as shown inFig. 7 . By the generation of the bending moment M, a force FC is generated in thestopper finger 22 in the direction indicated by the arrow X2, while a force FD is generated in thepressing finger 21 along thepressing arm 15. - The force FD that is generated along the
pressing arm 15 generates a vertical component force FE directed to the direction indicated by the arrow Z2. The vertical component force FE is a force that is newly generated in the pressing member 9 by the generation of the bending moment M and that serves as a force for holding theECU 2 in thedevice mounting housing 1B. In this way, even if theECU 2 is heavy, the structure wherein thestopper arm 17 has both ends supported allows the ECU to be reliably held since the vertical component force FE generated by the bending moment M is applied in addition to the holding force FB that is normally applied to the pressing member 9 (seeFig. 4 ). - In the first and second embodiments, explanation has been made about a case where each of the pressing member 9 and the
stopper stopper - Now, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
- This embodiment is characterized in that the device mounting housing includes improved
manipulative members 50. Each of themanipulative members 50 according to this embodiment is applicable to both of the pressing member 9 and thestopper manipulative members 50 will be explained without specifying whether each of themanipulative members 50 is applied to the pressing member 9 or thestopper - The electronic device mounting structure according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described in reference to
Fig. 8 andFig. 9 . Structure elements of the third embodiment shown inFig. 8 andFig. 9 , which are similar to those of the first and second embodiments shown inFig. 1 to Fig. 7 , are indicated by similar symbols, and the explanation of these structure elements will be omitted. - This embodiment is characterized in that the
manipulative members 50 are formed in adevice mounting housing 1C to hold anECU 2 in an open space 4, and that each of the manipulative members is formed of not only anarm 51 and afinger 52 but also a release-manipulative portion 53. - The
arm 51 is cantilevered and is configured to extend obliquely downward to a lower position than thetop portion 5 of thedevice mounting housing 1C. Thearm 51 has thefinger 52 formed on a distal end thereof to be engageable with theECU 2. When attention is drawn only to thearm 51 and thefinger 52 of the manipulative members, each of the manipulative members has substantially the same structure as the pressing member 9 according to the second and third embodiments. - Each of the manipulative members according to the third embodiment is characterized to have the release-
manipulative portion 53 formed on a further distal end of the cantileveredarm 51, i.e. on a position ahead of thefinger 52. The release-manipulative portion 53 is formed in a flange shape, which extends in the direction indicated by the arrow X1 in this figure by a slight amount (a length for ease in picking up). - Although the respective release-
manipulative portions 53 are configured to be substantially flush with thetop portion 5 and abottom portion 6 of the housing in this embodiment, the respective release-manipulative portion 53 may be configured to project outside from thetop portion 5 and thebottom portion 6 as shown in dashed dotted lines inFig. 9 . - Now, how to dismount the
ECU 2 from thedevice mounting housing 1C of the electronic device mounting structure configured as described above will be explained.Fig. 9 shows a situation where theECU 2 is engaged with the operatingportions 50, being held in thedevice mounting housing 1C. TheECU 2 needs to be taken out of a vehicle for the purpose of maintenance or another reason in some cases. In these cases, theECU 2 is dismounted from thedevice mounting housing 1C. - The pressing member 9 that includes only the
arm 15 and thefinger 21 as in the first and second embodiments needs to be disengaged from theECU 2 by using a screwdriver as explained in reference toFig. 12 . - On the other hand, in accordance with this embodiment, it is possible to disengage the first and
second projections fingers 52 formed on themanipulative members 50 without using a tool (screwdriver), since the release-manipulative portion 53 is formed on each of themanipulative members 50. Thus, it is possible to improve the manipulability of the operation for dismounting theECU 2 from thedevice mounting housing 1C. It is also possible to make thedevice mounting housing 1C smaller since it is not necessary to form thedevice mounting housing 1C so as to secure areas for accepting a tool (screwdriver). - In this embodiment, each of the release-
manipulative portions 53 is configured to be flush with or project from the outer side of thetop portion 5 or thebottom portion 6 of the housing with thefingers 52 being engaged with theECU 2. By this arrangement, it is easy to pick up each of the release-manipulative portions, and it is possible to improve the manipulability of the housing when dismounting theECU 2 from the housing.
Claims (6)
- An electronic device mounting structure for fitting an electronic device (2) in an open space (4) formed in a housing (1A) and for holding the electronic device (2) fitted in the open space (4),
wherein the electronic device (2) has a first projection (13) and a second projection (14) formed on a top side (11), and
the housing (1A) has a pressing member (9) with a pressing finger (21) and a stopper (10) formed on a top portion (5) in the housing (1A),
wherein the stopper (10) is juxtaposed with the pressing member (9) with the pressing finger (21), the stopper (10) having a stopper finger (22) offset in an electronic device insertion direction with respect to the pressing finger (21), the stopper finger (22) engaging a side of the first projection (13) and the pressing finger (21) being set between the first and second projections (13, 14) to prevent the electronic device (2) from falling out of the housing (1A). - The electronic device mounting structure according to Claim 1, wherein the stopper (10) comprises
plural holding members (20) formed in the housing (1A) so as to be juxtaposed each other, each of the holding members (20) having a finger (22) formed on an arm (17) thereof so as to be engageable with the electronic device (2); and
the arm (17) of at least one of the holding members (20) having both ends supported, and the arm (17) of the other holding member (20) or the arms (17) of the other holding members (20) being cantilevered. - The electronic device mounting structure according to Claim 1, wherein the stopper (10) comprises a holding member formed of a finger engageable with the electronic device (2), a cantilevered arm for elastically urging the finger toward the electronic device (2), and a release-manipulative portion configured to disengage the finger from the electronic device (2) by manipulating the release-manipulative portion from outside the housing (1A).
- The electronic device mounting structure according to Claim 3, wherein the release-manipulative portion is formed on a portion of the arm closer to a distal end of the arm (17) than the finger, and wherein the release-manipulative portion is configured to be flush with or project from an outer side of the housing (1A) with the finger being engaged with the electronic device (2).
- The electronic device mounting structure according to Claim 1, wherein the first and second projections (13, 14) are formed on a substantially center portion of each of a top side (11) and a bottom side (12) of the housing (1A).
- The electronic device mounting structure according to Claim 1, wherein the stopper (10) is formed of a stopper arm (16) and the stopper finger (22) formed on a distal end of the stopper arm (16) to project into the open space (4).
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
JP2005375073A JP4965121B2 (en) | 2005-12-27 | 2005-12-27 | Electronic equipment mounting structure |
PCT/JP2006/325551 WO2007077753A1 (en) | 2005-12-27 | 2006-12-21 | Electronic device mounting structure |
Publications (3)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP1970259A1 EP1970259A1 (en) | 2008-09-17 |
EP1970259A4 EP1970259A4 (en) | 2010-05-05 |
EP1970259B1 true EP1970259B1 (en) | 2013-03-06 |
Family
ID=38228108
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP20060843025 Active EP1970259B1 (en) | 2005-12-27 | 2006-12-21 | Electronic device mounting structure |
Country Status (12)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US7903395B2 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1970259B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP4965121B2 (en) |
KR (1) | KR101297894B1 (en) |
CN (2) | CN102442257B (en) |
AR (1) | AR064793A1 (en) |
BR (1) | BRPI0620657B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2633705C (en) |
MY (1) | MY148778A (en) |
RU (1) | RU2397082C2 (en) |
TW (1) | TWI425904B (en) |
WO (1) | WO2007077753A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (11)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP4969364B2 (en) * | 2007-08-13 | 2012-07-04 | 株式会社ニフコ | Mounting structure |
JP5315841B2 (en) * | 2008-08-04 | 2013-10-16 | パナソニック株式会社 | Bathroom ventilation dryer |
JP5336259B2 (en) * | 2009-05-14 | 2013-11-06 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Electrical junction box bracket structure |
JP5758574B2 (en) * | 2009-12-29 | 2015-08-05 | 川崎重工業株式会社 | Motorcycle |
JP5614998B2 (en) * | 2010-02-16 | 2014-10-29 | ダイハツ工業株式会社 | Vehicle electronics |
JP5880973B2 (en) * | 2013-01-08 | 2016-03-09 | 住友電装株式会社 | Electrical junction box |
JP6048390B2 (en) * | 2013-12-18 | 2016-12-21 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Mounting structure |
FR3023233B1 (en) * | 2014-07-01 | 2016-07-15 | Peugeot Citroen Automobiles Sa | SUPPORT FOR FIXING AN ELECTRONIC HOUSING AND A THERMAL SCREEN |
GB201719498D0 (en) * | 2017-11-24 | 2018-01-10 | Jaguar Land Rover Ltd | A mounting system for mounting an electrical module in a vehicle |
JP7068252B2 (en) * | 2019-09-30 | 2022-05-16 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Electrical junction box unit |
JP7390243B2 (en) * | 2020-04-17 | 2023-12-01 | 株式会社ニフコ | Bracket for automotive equipment |
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JPS6034714U (en) * | 1983-08-18 | 1985-03-09 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Fixed structures such as power distribution boxes, etc. |
JPS6034714A (en) | 1984-04-12 | 1985-02-22 | Kurako:Kk | Oil eliminator |
JPS62151787U (en) * | 1986-03-17 | 1987-09-26 | ||
DE3724620A1 (en) * | 1987-07-25 | 1989-02-02 | United Carr Gmbh Trw | Push-in box having spring elements |
JPH0517211Y2 (en) | 1987-12-21 | 1993-05-10 | ||
JPH0517211A (en) | 1991-03-07 | 1993-01-26 | Sumitomo Metal Ind Ltd | Substrate material and circuit substrate |
DE4110552A1 (en) * | 1991-03-30 | 1992-10-01 | Audi Ag | DEVICE FOR RECEIVING AND HOLDING A STARTER BATTERY |
JP2570768Y2 (en) * | 1991-08-19 | 1998-05-13 | 大和化成工業株式会社 | Lock device |
FR2714936B1 (en) * | 1994-01-13 | 1997-09-19 | Florit Florence Marie Laure | Device serving as a fixed support and protection against theft, decoders or systers of programs and television programs broadcast by satellite channels and by the Canal + channel. |
US5676555A (en) * | 1995-08-24 | 1997-10-14 | Yu; Wang-I | Card edge connector having means for applying inward transverse force on printed wiring boards |
JP3580472B2 (en) * | 1998-05-20 | 2004-10-20 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Mounting structure for box-type electrical components |
JP2000247188A (en) * | 1999-03-02 | 2000-09-12 | Kenwood Corp | Mounting structure of on-vehicle electronic apparatus |
JP2001253302A (en) * | 2000-03-14 | 2001-09-18 | Kenwood Corp | Installation mechanism for on-vehicle electronic equipment |
US6667879B2 (en) * | 2001-12-13 | 2003-12-23 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | System for latching and ejecting a modular component from an electronic device |
US6839239B1 (en) * | 2002-07-17 | 2005-01-04 | 3Com Corporation | Electronic device packaging |
JP4207650B2 (en) * | 2003-05-06 | 2009-01-14 | 住友電装株式会社 | Electrical junction box mounting structure for automobiles |
JP4177215B2 (en) * | 2003-09-11 | 2008-11-05 | 矢崎総業株式会社 | Easy disassembly mounting structure and electric junction box provided with the same |
TWI276310B (en) * | 2005-10-17 | 2007-03-11 | Wistron Neweb Corp | Satellite receiver having a rain cover |
-
2005
- 2005-12-27 JP JP2005375073A patent/JP4965121B2/en active Active
-
2006
- 2006-11-30 TW TW95144312A patent/TWI425904B/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2006-12-21 CN CN201110315229.0A patent/CN102442257B/en active Active
- 2006-12-21 RU RU2008130881A patent/RU2397082C2/en active
- 2006-12-21 CA CA2633705A patent/CA2633705C/en active Active
- 2006-12-21 EP EP20060843025 patent/EP1970259B1/en active Active
- 2006-12-21 KR KR1020087014986A patent/KR101297894B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2006-12-21 CN CN2006800492480A patent/CN101346258B/en active Active
- 2006-12-21 MY MYPI20082258A patent/MY148778A/en unknown
- 2006-12-21 WO PCT/JP2006/325551 patent/WO2007077753A1/en active Application Filing
- 2006-12-21 BR BRPI0620657-3A patent/BRPI0620657B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2006-12-28 AR ARP060105833 patent/AR064793A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
-
2008
- 2008-06-12 US US12/155,958 patent/US7903395B2/en active Active
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR101297894B1 (en) | 2013-08-19 |
BRPI0620657A2 (en) | 2011-11-22 |
EP1970259A1 (en) | 2008-09-17 |
CA2633705A1 (en) | 2007-07-12 |
CN102442257B (en) | 2015-04-22 |
CN101346258B (en) | 2012-03-07 |
CN101346258A (en) | 2009-01-14 |
MY148778A (en) | 2013-05-31 |
US20080297993A1 (en) | 2008-12-04 |
RU2397082C2 (en) | 2010-08-20 |
TWI425904B (en) | 2014-02-01 |
RU2008130881A (en) | 2010-02-20 |
US7903395B2 (en) | 2011-03-08 |
CN102442257A (en) | 2012-05-09 |
KR20080080135A (en) | 2008-09-02 |
WO2007077753A1 (en) | 2007-07-12 |
JP2007176253A (en) | 2007-07-12 |
EP1970259A4 (en) | 2010-05-05 |
AR064793A1 (en) | 2009-04-29 |
JP4965121B2 (en) | 2012-07-04 |
TW200742532A (en) | 2007-11-01 |
BRPI0620657B1 (en) | 2018-02-06 |
CA2633705C (en) | 2016-03-29 |
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